The Russian “barbers under the stairs” of Turkey, i.e., were illegal, stirred up the local services market, and caused the wrath of Turkish competitors and the authorities. The reason is the overestimation of the tariffs for haircuts. This became the reason for catching underground masters.
As the Turkish portal Ufuk Gazetesi clarified, Russian hairdressers who moved to Turkey and are trying to make money in this country, usually attract clients from among their compatriots. They charged twice as much for shaving hair and beards than the official tariff set by the Chamber of Craftsmen, causing a negative reaction from both the Chamber of Craftsmen and local barbers. The Turks wanted to “tear down” Russian representatives of small businesses that do not follow Turkish rules and laws.
Thus, the prices for the services of “luxury” hairdressers in Turkey for 2023 are set at 600 lira, that is, about 835 hryvnias. at the current exchange rate) for cutting a beard, while Russian barbers charge from 1,200 to 1,500 lira (1,600-2,000 UAH). Advertising on social networks provided Russian businessmen with a surge in customer activity – this is how they gathered people willing to get a haircut.
“The prices set by some Russian hairdressers exceed the level of official tariffs, and this is causing concern among local craftsmen,” said Shebnem Akman Balta, occupational health and safety specialist, deputy general director of TÜGIAD.
However, the Turkish authorities are now actively intervening in the situation, citing the need to comply with official tariffs and employment regulations. The authorities also focus on monitoring social networks and compliance with the legislation on labor and employment of foreigners. At the same time, Russian businessmen who have come out of the shadows will have to hire Turkish staff, teach them their trade, pay a “white” salary, and pay taxes to the local treasury. “We must support the audit of social networks and, again, social awareness of the public, as well as the supervision of foreign citizens at workplaces,” the expert noted.
However, the deputy head of the Chamber of Barbers, Traders and Craftsmen of Antalya, Turan Ersoy, is sure that the owners of hair salons who settled in Turkey are victims of the situation. “Russians provide hairdressing services in Muratpaşa and Konyaalta districts. They mostly turn their apartments into hair salons,” the expert said.
Previously, the Turks did not like the audacious conduct of the pharmacy business. A scandal broke out in Antalya, Turkey, surrounding a Russian family that found itself in the spotlight after accusations of dumping and illegal advertising of its pharmacy. Their Turkish competitors claimed that the Russians pharmacy sold drugs at lower prices than the Turkish points – this was the cause of complaints against those who moved. The point of sale was covered by the government.